Celebrating Secretary Wu: Honoree of the National Skills Coalition Founder’s Circle Award
The Maryland Workforce Alliance is thrilled to celebrate Secretary Portia Wu, Maryland’s Secretary of Labor, for receiving the prestigious Founder’s Circle Award from the National Skills Coalition (NSC) at their recent Skills Summit in Washington, DC. This honor recognizes Secretary Wu’s extraordinary leadership and her unwavering commitment to advancing workforce development and apprenticeships in Maryland and beyond.
Recognizing Transformative Leadership
The Founder’s Circle Award, established by the NSC Board of Directors in 2023, honors individuals who have leveraged their influence to further the Coalition’s mission of expanding access to high-quality skills training for all. Secretary Wu joins a distinguished group of public, private, and philanthropic leaders who have made a lasting impact on workforce policy and economic opportunity.
Secretary Wu’s career is a testament to her dedication to America’s workers. As Maryland’s Secretary of Labor, she leads the Maryland Department of Labor in connecting Marylanders to good jobs, protecting workers and consumers, supporting businesses, and fostering economic growth. Her vision and energy have been instrumental in positioning Maryland as a national leader in workforce innovation.
A Legacy of Impact
Before joining the Moore-Miller Administration, Secretary Wu served as Managing Director of U.S. Public Policy at Microsoft, where she championed the future of work and the training needs of emerging fields like cybersecurity and sustainability. Her federal service includes her role as Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she oversaw the implementation of the landmark Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2015. Secretary Wu’s experience also includes serving as Special Assistant for Workforce Policy under President Barack Obama and as Labor Counsel to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Throughout her career, Secretary Wu has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity. Her leadership has helped ensure that Maryland’s workforce development system is responsive to the needs of both workers and employers, and that apprenticeships and skills training are accessible to all Marylanders.
Advancing Maryland’s Workforce
Under Secretary Wu’s leadership, Maryland has expanded access to apprenticeships, strengthened partnerships with employers, and championed policies that prepare workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Her efforts have not only benefited Maryland’s economy but have also served as a model for other states seeking to build inclusive, high-quality workforce systems.
The Maryland Workforce Alliance congratulates Secretary Wu on this well-deserved recognition. We are proud to work alongside her as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for all Marylanders.
Congratulations, Secretary Wu, and thank you for your visionary leadership!